A Feminist Study of Female Image in Pride and Prejudice
Abstract: This paper first gives the definition of the feminism and talks about its development. It then discusses females in the 18th century in England and the author Jane Austen’s personal experience. Then, it explains female images in the patriarchal society from two aspects, one is mother images in Pride and Prejudice, including four representatives; the other is daughter images in Pride and Prejudice, including three representatives. It finally elaborates new female images with feminist consciousness in Pride and Prejudice, illustrated by two females Jane and Elizabeth, and suggests the importance of female consciousness for females’ self development and the formation of feminism.
Key words: feminism; female consciousness; female image
Abstract iv
摘要 iv
Outline v
提纲 vi
1. Introduction 1
2. Development and definition of feminism 1
3. British females in the 18th century and Austen’s personal experience 2
3.1 British females in the 18th century 2
3.2 Austen’s personal experience 2
4. Female images in the patriarchal society 3
4.1 Mother images in Pride and Prejudice 3
4.1.1 Arrogant woman── Lady Catherine 3
4.1.2 Superficial woman── Mrs. Bennet 3
4.1.3 Thoughtful woman── Mrs. Gardiner 4
4.2 Daughter images in Pride and Prejudice 5
4.2.1 Snobbish lady── Miss Bingley 5
4.2.2 Over-practical girl── Charlotte 5
4.2.3 Self-consequent girls── Lydia and Kitty 6
4.2.4 Slow-witted girl── Mary 6
5. New female images with feminist consciousness 7
5.1 Jane: a kind and generous female image 7
5.2 Elizabeth: an independent-minded female image 8
6. Conclusion 10
Works Cited 11
